This is how it’s explained in Wikipedia. Not to be confused with Vesak.
Vaisakhi (Punjabi: ਵਿਸਾਖੀ) visākhī), also known as Baisakhi, Vaishakhi, or Vasakhi) is a festival celebrated across the northern Indian subcontinent, especially in the Punjab region by the Sikh community. More recently, this festival is also celebrated around the world by Sikh diaspora. For the Sikh community this festival commemorates the establishment of the Khalsa.
The Sikh in Malaysia celebrate it every year on the 13th of April. This is what the youth of Malaysia had to say about this celebration during my recent trip to the Vaisakhi Grand Event in Kuala Lumpur.
Here are some stories of what Vaisakhi means to them.
Randhir Singh, 30 years old.
“Can I take your photo? Cause I like your t-shirt. So where are you from?”
“I’m from Ampang but I’m just back from Sydney. I have my own business, so I go back and forth. My wife lives in Sydney, she has been there for about 20 years. I met her in a Samelan (youth sikh camp) here. I was very active with Sabha community, that’s when I met her and we been married for 5 years now.”
Raveena Kaur, 20 years old.
“What does your tattoo mean?”
“It’s in Sanskrit, It mean ‘family comes first’. I have very understanding and open minded parents. I don’t think there are many parents like my parents. They mean a lot to me. It’s a celebration for Punjabis, good food, get to wear new clothes, be with family and be within prayers.”
Manveer Singh, 16 years old from Ipoh and Akaaljot Singh, 13 years old from Kuala Lumpur.
“What is Vaisakhi to you?”
Birth of Khalsa, listening to kirtan. Manveer – Yeah, I been playing the Tabla (Indian hand drums) since I was 4 years old. Akaaljot – I been playing the Waja (harmonium) since then too.
Taranjit Kaur, 28 years old. I’m from Pj, born in Perak.
What is Vaisakhi to you?
I renew my vows.
Amardev Singh, 18 years old.
“So what do you do?”
“After my SPM exams, I’m studying dentistry now. Vaisakhi is a day to get close to my religion and get to meet my friends.”
Gurvinderjit Singh, 21 years old.
“What’s the best thing about Vaisakhi?”
“Meeting old friends, I’m from Penang, studying in Melaka. So today I get to meet some old friends again.”
Gurmesh Singh, 21 years old.
“Why are you here?”
“Tying turban, learning to tie the proper way. Growing up to be a man.”
Kaveeta Kaur, 19 years old and Melvin Kaur, 18 years old.
“What is Vaisakhi to you?”
“A celebration, the day we got our Kaur’s and Singh’s.”
Harinder Kaur, 18 years old.
“Why are you here?”
“Meeting close friends and a gathering with my family.”
Sandeep Singh, 19 years old.
“So what do you like about Vaisakhi?”
“Fun times! I came to the gurdwara early to pray, lots of people to see and friends to meet.”
Ishvherr Singh, 13 years old and Ajeet Singh, 14 years old.
“So what do you do here?”
“We are cousins. We are in the Gatka team (traditional combat-training). I do the sword routine and Ishvherr is in the defence section. We been doing this for 5 years now.”
Tushal Singh, 7 years old.
“Why are you here?”
“To play with friends, as my mom told me to come.”
Mukatdeep Singh, 2 1/2 years old. He kept running around the food stall for a carbonated drink, with a curious energy and he had a cool funky t-shirt.
Jagdave Singh, 24 years old.
“So why are you here?”
“I always come here. I’m from Bidor. I have a workshop for turban tying, its also a celebration to me. It’s about a holy battle that was won by our Gurus and the birth of Khalsa.”
Aqaalpreet Singh, 12 years old. Gursanjeet Singh, 12 years old. Jaqroshan Singh, 10 years old.
“You two are brothers and what do you do here?
“Yes! We sell vegetarian burgers here. We have a food stall today. Every year we are here with our parents as volunteers. It’s organised by our gurdwara (sikh temple).”
Harinder Singh, 18. Sukhveer Singh, 18.
“What is Vaisakhi to you?”
“Birth of our Khalsa. Are you okay with that only answer?”
Karisma Preet Kaur, 17 years old.
“What is Vaisakhi to you?”
“It’s a new year for me. To meet friends and hang out. I been coming here since last year.”
Navleen Kaur, 5 years old.
“Do you know why you are here?”
“I saw a letter in my post box. It was about this event so I came here for Vaisakhi with my mom.”
Sumeetjeet Singh, 5 years old.
“What do you know about Vaisakhi?”
“For the tea party, I came for that. I don’t know. Mom – he is too young to know about Vaisakhi.”
Taphassya Kaur, 2 years old. She didn’t say much but the parents were there with her for the tea party.
Hartaj Singh, 5 years old and Raveena Kaur, 5 years old.
“Why are you here today?”
“We are here for a tea party, there is a celebration happening here.”
